I have been trying to locate a good list of settings for different materials. I found some but they do not show a setting for soapstone. What is a good setting to use to engrave letters as well as image on soapstone?
Keith
What size images…what size soapstone and colour.
the soapstone is coaster size. About 3.75 inches square. The image is just under that size so to have somewhat of a margin on the sides of the letters and graphic.
The color is an off white
White with a diode laser is not easy. I know what soap stone, but you are the first to mention it as far as I know (I must Google it). I expect the power will be up (80%) and the speed (no idea) down. Next trip to the hardware store I will get some. You made me curious. 
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Keith
Have a look through this topic that was started by MikeyH.
You might get some ideas from the posts.
You could raise the lettering by lasering around it or laser the lettering deep to achieve some contrast. Also with a certain power and speed you may change the lasered surface colour.
Depending on the job time you want you could also apply some color to the soapstone to achieve contrast, this may help if you want to try detailed images.
Ps. A speed and power test with some lettering at various settings will be a good start.
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NONE for a diode laser.
On my 10w machine, I set 254LPI and 90% power. Air assist made no difference. I kept reducing speed in 500mm/m increments, from 2500mm/m to 500mm/m. All it did was warm up the soapstone a little.
So I drop it in the 40w laser at 90% power and 1000mm/m to see if a visible light diode laser can do anything at all. If I tilted the soapstone in the light, I could see some marking, but it was not consistent. Oddly enough, the soapstone got barely warmer than with the 10w diode. This indicates the translucent rock was barely absorbing any power at all.
I saw black soapstone for counter tops, but it was too much $$ for me to experiment with.
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I think your problem is the color. White reflects all colors, so no matter what color you laser is, it won’t likely engrave much into your soapstone.
Same thing happens with white acrylic…
Good luck.
I figured it out. My laser set at 30watt the settings in Lightburn is 90%power and 30inches per minute speed.
I would add a picture but not sure how on here.
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Get the image into your computer, then just drag it into your reply.
I would love to see what you accomplished.
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Now to figure out how to add color to the specific areas.
Acrylic Ink (dabbed on so you don’t brush ink under the edges) and Masking tape. If I’m using Ordinary masking tape I use 45% power (20w diode) for a nice clean cut.
Toothpick to tease out the bits you don’t want.
You can also laser over the ink for effect
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Thanks I’ll have to give it a try.
Meant to add, low power (5 - 7% at aprox 3000mm/m) and a wide Line interval will shade the lasered ink…and not obliterate it…Cross hatch if you have the time.
Same for slate.
My 40w did not have that much effect on my soapstone pieces. Material composition difference I am guessing.
Hi.
^This
As far as lasering is concerned, soapstone is just a general name for a wide variety of possible compositions of minerals:
I haven’t tried it yet, but from what I do know about the use of soapstone and its varying properties, it wouldn’t be my choice for a visible spectrum diode lasering.
Absolutely wonderful material for making all kinds of carving jobs though, but just like any natural mineral, has its peculiarities.
Absolutely stunning material for HiFi speaker enclosures BTW 
If You want to retain (at least until the first time it’s used 
) that particular shade of soapstone-gray, I’d guess that kind of contrast is about the best You’ll get.
For decorative purposes, soapstone is rarely used uncoated or unpolished though.
Even the fireplaces are often stained, waxed or oiled for both the easier cleaning and for the appearance.
Objects like HiFi speaker enclosures are clearcoated.
For at least the varities over here -and we do have soapstone in abundance here- “wetting” the surface will produce quite dramatic change in appearance.
Ours often has a green tint, with all sorts of streaks.
Even water will stay deep in the pores for quite a while, but will obviously evaporate in time, other less evaporative liquids will stain the stone “forever”.
Since at least that example of Yours looks like a coaster and spills from beverages will stain it anyway, I’d second @Pete.IRL 's suggestion of increasing the contrast by staining.
You have to find out the exact liquid to stain that partiqular variety for the desired contrast Yourself, and unless You can be assured somehow that all the material comes from the same quarry, be prepared to adjust the process if a good consistency is the requirement.
Regards,
Sam
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